Weekly API.Report For February 20th, 2015

Swagger is now Open API Definition Format (OADF) -- READ MORE

• I'm a Farmer. How Do I Get Started with Farm Management Software? - API driven mobile continuing to target the farmer, and agricultural industry. If I see more IoT, and API related agricultural stories I may have to start a separate research project. 
• Agricultural Data, Visualizations, and Mobile Apps from AgriCharts - Interesting moves into specific verticals from Barcharts--it is interesting to see data and visualizations focused on in such valuable ways.

• Parsing Complex Data to Solve ‘Simple’ Problems - Tracking on valuable data conversations coming out of the realtime space. This is a video.

• LucyBot - Get your API's consumers moving faster - LucyBot generates cross-language cookbooks for any REST API--that is cool. It looks like LucyBot is poised to do some significant evolution in the Swagger and Blueprint driven API client conversation. 
• Using Templates for Documentation Driven API Design - A great walkthrough of current API design practices, using API definitions, which provide a template for developers, businesses, and industries to follow.
• How API Description Languages Enable API IDEs - A great walkthrough by Jerome on how API definitions, and current API design approaches are allowing for a more formal IDE that can fuel the API lifecycle 
• Utilising API Blueprint in API Clients—Apiary Blog - This is an important step for Apiary and their API blueprint format, but also for API definitions overall. They are adding in a hypermedia layer, the first of the formats to do so. I am still working to understand, and will be covering more. 
• A Guide to REST & API Design - More API designknowledge from API leader Mike Amundsen.

• British bookseller Waterstones hid a reading list for developers in its source code - I thought this was creative, and shows thinking out of the box when looking to reach out to developers.

• LucyBot - Get your API's consumers moving faster - LucyBot generates cross-language cookbooks for any REST API--that is cool. It looks like LucyBot is poised to do some significant evolution in the Swagger and Blueprint driven API client conversation.
• Stripe Payment Gateway Kit For Resellerclub (Miscellaneous) - I track on a lot of API integrations, but only some I talk about. This was interesting enough to showcase, especially because it is monetized. 
• Fail This Smart Breathalyzer's Test And It Will Help You Get An Uber - This is another integration that makes me go WTF. Sure, I get that incentivizing drunk folks to use Uber is nice, but think of the privacy considerations. Uber will know every time you are drunk. #FUN

• Orleans Simplifies Development of Scalable Apps for the Cloud - A glimpse into how Microsoft is shifting its focus and understanding of Internet architecture, and how to build API driven apps. 

• Why Slow Electronic Payments Can Cause Cash Flow Problems : NPR - While not directly API related, I think this story feeds an important narrative in the banking space, as it is poised to try and get its API footing. 
• SEED Hopes to Revolutionize Business Banking - Looks like another strong player entering into the fast growing banking API space. I am working hard to expanding my tracking on what is going on, as well as understanding over all industry, and obstacles. 
• Banks Need to create a Fintech Unicorn EVERY YEAR - I am trying to better understand what motivates banks, and the psychology behind the industry, in hopes of better understand whats next. I thought this was an interesting take on what motivates. 

• New AWS Certification for DevOps Engineers - Amazon continues to accelerate its ecosystem certification program, adding a new DevOps certification. Another sign that DevOps is getting traction.

• Detroit Turns to Data-Driven Government and Digital Democracy - Socrata showcasing what Detroit is up to, using data, and API ecosystem to change how it governs. 
• Toward a Municipal Ping Service - Interesting thoughts on a municipal specific notification service, making city operations more real-time. 
• Bridging the Gap Between People and Public Services - Showcasing an important layer of government operations that keeps popping up on my radar. We have a long way to go in making sure government services are delivered sensibly using technology, and bridging the gap. 
• Data portals are tomorrow’s map room | Data, etc. - I thought this was an interesting notion coming out of Chicago's open data efforts, and speaks to one possible future when it comes to open data. 
• Seattle Privacy Coalition Seattle Privacy Coalition - Individual privacy - Institutional transparency - It makes me happy to see privacy coalitions coming out of cities like this one from Seattle. 
• Civic hackers are already building a better MTA bus tracking system - I like to see stories like this this, showcasing and encouraging civic hackers to take it into their own hands to nake change. 
• Improvements Necessary in Order for Minneapolis’ Open Data Portal to Thrive - A critical look at what it will take to continuing to evolve Minneapolis’ open data efforts, which such great detail of the technical, business, and political considerations of open data and APIs. 
• Yelp + Open Data = The End of Food Poisoning? - I am eager to see the potential role open data and APIs can play in public health, but somewhat skeptical of big claims like this. It is something I will be keeping an eye on.

• EC2 Container Service (ECS) Update – Access Private Docker Repos & Mount Volumes in Containers | AWS Official Blog - AWS allowing you seamless access to Docker repos and enables you to mount storage volumes directly in Docker containers. 
• OpenStack Gets Drop-In Replacement for Amazon's EC2 API - Open Stack doing some important API related work and discussions lately. If you use the platform, you should get involved. I will be monitoring.
• API Working Group - OpenStack - Here is the link to the API work going on with OpenStack, something I will keep a close eye on. 
• New AWS Certification for DevOps Engineers - Amazon continues to accelerate its ecosystem certification program, adding a new DevOps certification. Another sign that DevOps is getting traction. 
• Orleans Simplifies Development of Scalable Apps for the Cloud - A glimpse into how Microsoft is shifting its focus and understanding of Internet architecture, and how to build API driven apps. 
• Seamlessly Join EC2 Instances to a Domain - An interesting tightening of DNS and your EC2 servers running in the Amazon cloud. 
• OpenStack Gets Drop-In Replacement for Amazon's EC2 API - Open Stack doing some important API related work and discussions lately. If you use the platform, you should get involved. I will be monitoring.

• Constructech – Data Collection in Construction - I have to take note of interesting API usage in new and important industries like construction. I know APIs are common in the space, but you do not always see it discussed publicly. Shows some change in construction space.

• EC2 Container Service (ECS) Update – Access Private Docker Repos & Mount Volumes in Containers | AWS Official Blog - AWS allowing you seamless access to Docker repos and enables you to mount storage volumes directly in Docker containers. 
• API Management Infrastructure And Service Composition Is Key To Orchestration With Microservices In A Containerized World · - Some of my thoughts on why service composition is so important to the orchestration of microservices I deploy. 
• IBM Bluemix Web Application Hosting on IBM Containers - A look at how IBM is approaching the containerization of everything. I am trying to keep tabs on what all the major players are doing, to try and see who is just talk, and who is actually getting traction.

• oCommon sense meets the Internet of Things (IoT) - I'm seeing more critical posts like this when it comes to the Internet of Things. I'm not sure it will be enough to counteract the rising IoT tide, but one can hope. ;-)
• An Internet of Things that do what they’re told - Some more critical thought about the Internet of Things, and what the implications are when we blindly connect every day objects to the Internet using APIs. 

• Connect your TV, home, even your body, to the internet. But beware hackers - Some FUD coming from Internet connected TVs, spreading the security concerns to another layer of the IoT space.

• XOData Lets Developers Explore OData APIs Visually - A reminder for me that OData is alive an well, and introduction into an introduction to an interesting tool for working with the data format. I like the visualization aspect, which seems in alignment with other API driven visualization evolution in the space. 
• ​U.S. gets a chief data scientist: Here's what he should be doing - Lots of talk this week about the US Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil. I hope he can make a dent in how things work! 
• Impact of vaccines throughout history - I want to see more visualizations like this to emerge across all disciplines. Just do not forget to publish the data behind when you do! 
• In the wake of scandal, the State of Oregon seeks to restore trust through publishing public records - Unfortunately I think this is the way many city, county, and states will make their way to open data and APIs. Regardless it is good to see my home state make moves forward. 
• Bits Blog: AT&T’s Offer: Share Your Data for Personalized Ads, or Pay More - I cannot quite decide if this is just disturbing, or also a bit of genius in how AT&T is trying to monetize, while also exploiting. 
• Bridging the Gap Between People and Public Services - Showcasing an important layer of government operations that keeps popping up on my radar. We have a long way to go in making sure government services are delivered sensibly using technology, and bridging the gap. 
• Paxata Leverages REST API to Automate Loading and Manipulation of Big Data - Some more thoughts on the convergence of big data and API. 
• Teradatavoice: Turn Liquid Information Into Solid Revenue - This one really bothers me. Yes there is a huge amount of valuable information out there, but like APIs, there is also a need to keep things open and accessible. I worry that people will read pieces like this and think they can lock up public data. 
• Bits Blog: IBM, G.E. and Others Create Big Data Alliance - More big data news, and the enterprise taking notice of the value of data.  
• The curse of big data - Data Plumbing - A deep look at the plumbing challenges when it comes to big data. 
• Cook County Data Published Over the Last Year - A nice snapshot of some of the open data to come out of Chicago open data efforts. I would like to continue my work to compile a common list of these types of building blocks that support open data and APIs in city operations. 
• Yelp + Open Data = The End of Food Poisoning? - I am eager to see the potential role open data and APIs can play in public health, but somewhat skeptical of big claims like this. It is something I will be keeping an eye on.

• Using Templates for Documentation Driven API Design - A great walk-through of current API design practices, using API definitions, which provide a template for developers, businesses, and industries to follow.
• Why You Should Use Markdown for Your API Documentation - An interesting perspective on current approaches to documenting APIs from the API docs pro Peter Gruenbaum. 
• Dash Simplifies API Documentation for Mac, iOS Developers - Another new tool I'm evaluating, and trying to understand their view of API documentation, and what appears to be API aggregation. More to come on Dash. 
• Why We Open Sourced Our Docs and How We Did It - An interesting approach to API docs over at the web communications platform Respoke.

• Oracle Puts REST APIs at Core of Big Data Strategy - Like SAP, it will be interesting to what Oracle does with their API strategy. I am assuming it will be something I will have to watch from afar, as I do not have the resources to play as an Oracle partner. 
• Heroku’s new app-development product line is meant for the enterprise - I read last week about a post from SalesForce about helping the enterprise better understanding Heroku, and with this one you can definitely see a glimpse at the strategy of SalesForce to woo the enterprise. 
• AWS Ramps Up Its Enterprise Focus - No surprises here, but tracking on the slow motion (and sometimes no so) focus of providers to woo the enterprise! ;-) $$

• ​U.S. gets a chief data scientist: Here's what he should be doing - Lots of talk this week about the US Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil. I hope he can make a dent in how things work! 
• The API Briefing: Building Apps with APIs Using If This Then That - If This Then That is now federal government ready, and has their terms of service in alignment with government requirements. 
• Dutch DPA says government's data retention plans still illegal • The Register - Some thoughts around privacy, and data retention of open data at the government level.

• Development of Custom Studies for Bloomberg Terminal - An interesting approach to integrating with a Bloomberg terminal. 
• OANDA Enhances Forex Trading API Suite - Keeping an eye on the evolution of financial trading APIs. 
• Startup Offers Live Stock Data Graphics API - An interesting embeddable, and potentially visualization approach to financial data using APIs. 

• mnot’s blog: HTTP/2 is Done - With HTTP/2 done, I am trying to take in as many perspectives on the benefits as I can. 
• HTTP/2 is Done | Hacker News - With HTTP/2 done, I am trying to take in as many perspectives, across various conversation that I can. 
• HTTP/2 gets approved, heads to RFC - Another perspective on HTTP/2 being fully baked.

• Utilising API Blueprint in API Clients—Apiary Blog - This is an important step for Apiary and their API blueprint format, but also for API definitions overall. They are adding in a hypermedia layer, the first of the formats to do so. I am still working to understand, and will be covering more.

• How API Description Languages Enable API IDEs - A great walk-through by Jerome on how API definitions, and current API design approaches are allowing for a more formal IDE that can fuel the API life-cycle

• Smart devices can make the insurance biz proactive, not reactive - IoT and the insurance industry is something I predict we will see more of. I am already tracking on auto insurance devices, but predict the usage across areas that are insured.

• Cheap USB Control for your Telescope - I like finding novel, and unique approaches to connecting devices to a network, and thinking beyond just Internet connectivity. 
• Common sense meets the Internet of Things (IoT) - I'm seeing more critical posts like this when it comes to the Internet of Things. I'm not sure it will be enough to counteract the rising IoT tide, but one can hope. ;-) 
• Smart devices can make the insurance biz proactive, not reactive - IoT and the insurance industry is something I predict we will see more of. I am already tracking on auto insurance devices, but predict the usage across areas that are insured. 
• TaskRouter and the Internet of Things - I think Twilio and connect devices has always been a thing, but it is interesting to see them make a direct play for IoT with a new device. Definitely a platform you will have to watch when it comes to IoT. 
• Beacons are moving out of the pilot phase and helping retailers and marketers revolutionize in-store shopping - Keeping track of movement in the Internet of Things space, especially sensors. 
• Explore MQTT and the Internet of Things service on IBM Bluemix - More IoT out of IBM, with an emphasis on a specific IoT protocol, MQTT. 
• IBM's ADEPT Project: Rebooting the Internet of Things - Some valuable insights from IoT expert and researcher Phil Windley. 
• New Part Day: Time Of Flight Sensors - I am slowly building a list of sensor technology, and compiling a list of building blocks to consider when apply APIs to sensors. 
• Building an API-driven Ecosystem for the Internet of Things - This is the first of my Internet of Things white papers, released for the Gigaom research network. I will be doing more papers like this as I continue to monitor the space. 
• Connect Arduino GSM/GPRS Shield to a Mobile Cell Network - A cool approach to networking Arduino devices to the Internet. 
• Octoblu IoT Platform Opens APIs to Developers - The launch of a pretty robust looking IoT platform, courting developers to build on one platform to rule all their IoT devices. 
• The Best Internet Of Things Dividend Stocks Everybody Must Know - A valuable way to look at the Internet of Things space. I need all the lists that I can get, when trying to understand what is going on with IoT.
• Senate hearing on Internet of Things emphasizes light regulatory touch - Government regulation and IoT is inevitable, and I will keep tracking on which government agencies, and leaders are asking the hard questions when it comes to ioT privacy, and security. 
• This talking dinosaur has a brain powered by IBM’s Watson supercomputer - Ok, this is a pretty cool, and cute IoT implementation, using IBM's Watson. I wonder what other device brains you could use the machine learning API engine for. 
• Connect your TV, home, even your body, to the internet. But beware hackers - Some FUD coming from Internet connected TVs, spreading the security concerns to another layer of the IoT space. 
• Senate hearing on Internet of Things emphasizes light regulatory touch - Government regulation and IoT is inevitable, and I will keep tracking on which government agencies, and leaders are asking the hard questions when it comes to ioT privacy, and security.
• Building an API-driven Ecosystem for the Internet of Things - This is the first of my Internet of Things white papers, released for the Gigaom research network. I will be doing more papers like this as I continue to monitor the space. 

• A Microscope on Microservices - Another awesome look into Netflix operations, and diving down deep into how their microservices work. I do not think everything Netflix is doing applies to wider space, but there are huge amount of items to dissect and apply in our own approaches. 
• An Outside View on Microservices : Agility and Scale - When it comes to understanding microservices and containers Iron.io is one company to watch. They are consistently doing important work at scale, and telling the story about it publicly, which is very important to the evolution of the space.

• Yahoo Appeals to Developers With New Mobile App Suite - Another web giant continues to intensify their focus on mobile. 
• Azure Mobile Engagement now in Public Preview - You have to keep an eye on Microsoft lately, they are moving fast in a lot of important directions. 
• Video: MobileFirst for Bluemix (MBaaS) - A look at the mobile efforts coming out of IBM Bluemix.

• Bits Blog: AT&T’s Offer: Share Your Data for Personalized Ads, or Pay More - I cannot quite decide if this is just disturbing, or also a bit of genius in how AT&T is trying to monetize, while also exploiting.

• All the ghostly sounds that are lost when you compress to mp3 - This isn't API related, but was so cool, i couldn't help but post. When you have MP3 related APIs, like conversion or export tools, you should also provide access to this shadow of each MP3.

• Study shows patent licenses don’t lead to tech transfer - Part of my ongoing monitoring of patents in the technology space, and I can definitely get behind this posts message.

• Stripe Now Accepts Bitcoin Payments - Everyone is getting on the Bitcoin band-wagon. I have to say when Stripe throws towel in, that it is a pretty important signal for the rest of us to tune in. 
• Visa expands its online payments service Checkout to 16 countries - Visa making the international moves with its online payment service. 
• Why Slow Electronic Payments Can Cause Cash Flow Problems : NPR - While not directly API related, I think this story feeds an important narrative in the banking space, as it is poised to try and get its API footing. 
• Stripe Payment Gateway Kit For Resellerclub (Miscellaneous) - I track on a lot of API integrations, but only some I talk about. This was interesting enough to showcase, especially because it is monetized. 
• Session 2: ‘APIs and Mobile/Electronic Payments’ with Jason Harmon - An interesting podcast with API thought leader Jason Harmon of Paypal, from IBM. 
• Square vs. Stripe (SBUX,TWTR) - I like it when I find detailed comparisons of API driven platforms, and always try to track on so I can pull up when trying to help people make decisions on which platforms to use. 
• New – Set Preferred Payment Currency for your AWS Account | AWS Official Blog - Interesting currency, and internationalization options coming out of the Amazon platform, something that will definitely add to them being a global heavyweight. 
• Pay.On launches payment platform based on open API architecture - A new payment API that I will be tracking on to see what they have to offer, and are worthy of being in the API Stack.

• The Right to Be Forgotten, the Privilege to Be Remembered | Re/code - Such an important conversation, as we decide whether or not we should be opening up privacy controls for API consumers, and end-users. 
• Microsoft adopts first international cloud privacy standard - Microsoft on the Issues - I haven't dug into the details of their commitment, but if it has any traction, it sends a good signal. 
• Bits Blog: AT&T’s Offer: Share Your Data for Personalized Ads, or Pay More - I cannot quite decide if this is just disturbing, or also a bit of genius in how AT&T is trying to monetize, while also exploiting. 
• Seattle Privacy Coalition Seattle Privacy Coalition - Individual privacy - Institutional transparency - It makes me happy to see privacy coalitions coming out of cities like this one from Seattle. 
• Fail This Smart Breathalyzer's Test And It Will Help You Get An Uber - This is another integration that makes me go WTF. Sure, I get that incentivizing drunk folks to use Uber is nice, but think of the privacy considerations. Uber will know every time you are drunk. #FUN 
• Dutch DPA says government's data retention plans still illegal • The Register - Some thoughts around privacy, and data retention of open data at the government level. 
• The Role APIs Can Play When It Comes To Online Trolling · - This is the beginning of some of my monitoring, and brainstorming on how APIs can be used deal with online trolling. 
• How much does privacy cost? According to AT&T, about $29 - AT&T continues to blur the lines of privacy, net neutrality, and just being plain creepy--they need to get more imaginative when they come up with ways to make money. 
• Microsoft Azure: The first cloud computing platform to conform to ISO/IEC 27018, the only international set of privacy controls in the cloud
• Privacy Concerns: 8 Best Practices in Online Data Collection - A plain english, easy to understand list of privacy concerns when working with data online. I will use to incorporate into a master list of privacy concerns in API space.

• Microsoft Makes Apache Storm Generally Available And Improves Productivity for Real-Time Analytics on Big Data - An interesting tool, which seems to exist at the intersection of real-time and reciprocity, allowing you to move things around using APIs, in real-time. 
• Real-Time APIs and Big Business APIs - The first part of this provides some interesting real-time discussion from a local API Meetup. I think it provides some valuable insight into real-time that I want to track on. 
• The Druid real-time database moves to an Apache license - Adding to the list of platforms and tools I track on when it comes to the intersection of APIs and real-time.

• IFTTT launches 3 new apps to create an easy button for the web - I do not agree with everything IFTT does in what I call the API reciprocity space, but they are very good at reaching consumers, and worth keeping an eye on when it comes to understanding API reciprocity. 
• The API Briefing: Building Apps with APIs Using If This Then That - If This Then That is now federal government ready, and has their terms of service in alignment with government requirements. 
• Cobot now connects with Zapier! We're looking for testers... - A platform showcasing their Zapier integration, something I'm seeing more of as interoperability and automation grow increasingly important.

• Here's an Odd Result: Strict Regulation Apparently Doesn't Hamper Startup Growth - Some interesting discussion around regulation, adding to my consideration of governments role in the tech startup space. 
• Senate hearing on Internet of Things emphasizes light regulatory touch - Government regulation and IoT is inevitable, and I will keep tracking on which government agencies, and leaders are asking the hard questions when it comes to ioT privacy, and security.

• Google's new CAPTCHA security login raises 'legitimate privacy concerns' (GOOG) - There are an increasing number of layers I will be tracking on when it comes to API security, and API adjacent security issues. This seemed to fall into the wheelhouse for now. 
• Two-Factor Authentication: What You Need to Know - Keeping up our education on Two-Factor Authentication, and pushing forward the security conversation. 
• Using Google Cloud Platform for Security Scanning - I am going to add Google Securing Scanning to my security toolbox. I have to think they know a thing or two about security, and is great that it is made available to anyone. 
• OAuth for Intuit demystified - I would be happy to showcase multiple oAuth overviews from API providers. I think Intuits is a little verbose, but important none-the-less. 
• The need for contextual information within multifactor authentication - An interesting perspective on authentication, adding to my knowledge base of approaches to multi and two factor authentication. 
• IRS Encourages Poor Cryptography - interesting critique of the IRS approach to encryption by one of the leading thinkers in space. 
• When Cryptographic API Design Goes Wrong – Security Café - Interesting security hole. 
• Seattle Privacy Coalition Seattle Privacy Coalition - Individual privacy - Institutional transparency - It makes me happy to see privacy coalitions coming out of cities like this one from Seattle. 
• Kaspersky Lab reveals spyware on the world’s most popular hard drives, suspects the NSA - I am keeping most of my NSA monitoring out of the API roundups, but this was showcased as a firmware API on hard drives, which negatively impacts the API brand in the eyes of readers. 
• Embedding a ‘Culture of Security’ Is the Best Defense - Some important research and advice, taking a more pragmatic view on Internet security.

• In the wake of scandal, the State of Oregon seeks to restore trust through publishing public records - Unfortunately I think this is the way many city, county, and states will make their way to open data and APIs. Regardless it is good to see my home state make moves forward. 
• Bridging the Gap Between People and Public Services - Showcasing an important layer of government operations that keeps popping up on my radar. We have a long way to go in making sure government services are delivered sensibly using technology, and bridging the gap. 
• WA unveils open data policy - Strategy - News - iTnews.com.au - Nice. Another state to make the move to bake open data directly into the policy, and operations of state government. All 50 states should have one. We need some sort of open data coalition to make happen and oversee. 
• Data portals are tomorrow’s map room | Data, etc. - I thought this was an interesting notion coming out of Chicago's open data efforts, and speaks to one possible future when it comes to open data.

• Impact of vaccines throughout history - I want to see more visualizations like this to emerge across all disciplines. Just do not forget to publish the data behind when you do! 
• Learn data visualization and data-driven journalism in a real “Data Jam” - This already happened at publish time, but I'd like to see more of this, especially at the local level. We need a lot more education to emerge to teach people how to work with open data in meaningful ways--I know I do! 
• Startup Offers Live Stock Data Graphics API - An interesting embeddable, and potentially visualization approach to financial data using APIs. 
• Agricultural Data, Visualizations, and Mobile Apps from AgriCharts - Interesting moves into specific verticals from Barcharts--it is interesting to see data and visualizations focused on in such valuable ways.
• How To Craft Truly Awesome Data Visualizations - Some more API and open data driven visualization goodness from Socrata. The number of visualizations resources to emerge lately are making me optimistic about the future of API visualizations, and people doing meaningful things with data via APIs. 
• 30+ Data Visualization Tools for Social Media - Adding to the list of resources I'm working through when it comes to API driven visualizations. I'll work my way through in hopes of establishing a robust toolbox of visualizations.

This first Weekly API.Report was about 8 hours worth of work for me, in addition to the regular API news curation I do each week. Next week should be easier, as I built some tools to help me. The hard work now is to prioritize the Weekly API.Report each week, providing a regular account of what I've curated.

This post has helped me better absorb what happened this week, something I hope I can achieve each week. I have this same data going back to 2013, as I've been doing the work each week, i just stopped publishing a weekly post when I went to work in Washington D.C. as a Presidential Innovation Fellow--I just got too busy.

Next up for me, is to generate a short summary, and do a companion email newsletter for the Weekly API.Report--stay tuned!